In Zhytomyr region, police have completed the investigation of illegal business with the export of forest - the organizer and accomplices will appear before the court
On May 28, detectives of the investigative department of the GUNP finished investigating the scheme of theft and export from Ukraine to the EU countries of wholesale consignments of oak lumber. Illegal transactions of the organized criminal group took place “under the patronage” of a deputy of one of the local councils in Zhytomyr region and brought millions of profits. The accused faces a long prison term.
The criminal scheme, which operated during April-October 2020, was exposed by detectives of the investigative department of the GUNP under the operational support of the USBU of the region and the procedural leadership of the Zhytomyr Regional Prosecutor's Office.
During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the illegal business in the forest was organized by a 40-year-old entrepreneur from Berdychiv district, a deputy of one of the local councils. For cash, Dilok bought oak trees cut overtime from the local state forestry. Technological processing of forest raw materials was carried out at a sawmill affiliated with the case participant.
The deputy attracted two more of his acquaintances, 35 and 45 years old, to the turnover. One of them coordinated the transportation of illegally felled oaks. The other took care of the documents that allowed the transport of lumber to customers in the European Union countries.
Payment for the received forest products was made through currency accounts of other entrepreneurs — close relatives of the deputy, and later legalized in cash.
As part of the criminal proceedings, police detectives established that in just half a year under this scheme more than 550 cubic meters of the highest grade timber were exported from Ukraine. And on the illegal export of state forest, merchants earned almost 5 million hryvnias.
In January 2022, the group organizer and two of his accomplices were reported by law enforcement officers on suspicion of committing a number of criminal acts. At present, after the completion of all necessary procedural actions and in agreement with the regional prosecutor's office, the indictment against the members of the organized criminal group is sent to court.
Dealers are accused of committing a number of criminal acts provided for in Part 3 of Art. 209 (Legalization (laundering) of property obtained by criminal means), part 4 of Art. 246 (Illegal chopping or illegal transportation, storage, sale of forest), Part 3 and Part 4 of Art. 358 (Forgery of documents, seals, stamps and forms, sale or use of forged documents, seals, stamps) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, committed as part of an organized group.
For illegal business, the accused may face imprisonment for a term of 8 to 12 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of up to 3 years and with confiscation of property.
Zhytomyr region police communication department
